The Best of State Awards recognize outstanding individuals, organizations and businesses in Utah. More than 100 judges review the nominations and determine the winners based on achievement in the field of endeavor, innovation or creativity in approaches, techniques, methods or processes, and contribution to the quality of life in Utah.

SUU has experienced unprecedented growth in the past several years and simultaneously increased the quality of students being admitted into the university. According to the Utah System of Higher Education (USHE) annual enrollment report released in October (2017), Southern Utah University continues to increase students at a steady rate growing more than 20% in total headcount in the last three years.

Anthony Braun, a senior interdisciplinary studies student, was one of three students who put together the award nomination packet.

“Service and excellence define SUU,” said Braun. “Faculty and staff encourage students to strive for bigger and better things. This exemplary leadership is illustrated every single day across campus. Most recently, I spoke with President Scott L Wyatt at the Festival of Excellence. He had an FOE schedule on the front of a binder and a goal to visit every showcase in the festival. The President of SUU cleared his entire day to serve his students, faculty, and staff—this is the kind of leadership SUU is dedicated to.”

Southern Utah University continues to build a reputation for excellence. SUU is at the forefront of undergraduate research, experiential education, and scholarship, with a commitment to a personalized student experience not found at larger schools. This commitment to the student experience and unique educational opportunities is gaining national attention, positioning SUU as a top university in the Intermountain West.

About Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University (1897) evolved from a teacher training institution to Utah’s designated masters university, offering over 140 undergraduate and 19 graduate programs. With world class project based learning, unique undergraduate research opportunities, and a personalized learning environment (18:1) students lead projects mentored by professors. True to the University’s core vision, SUU faculty, staff and administrators enable students to honor thought in all its finest forms, achieve excellence in their chosen field, and create positive change in the world.

Shuster’s paper, Uncertainty Analysis for Initial Relative Orbit Determination using Time Difference of Arrival Measurements explored the uncertainty of using conventional methods to determine initial relative orbits for satellites. Initial relative orbit determination is critical in understanding the location of satellites in order to avoid collisions. Shuster used a new method for initial relative orbit determination – using radio frequency signals emitted from spacecraft receivers.

“I’m honored to have been selected as the winner among the many great papers that were submitted this year,” said Shuster. “I wanted to show how, using an equation, satellite mission planners would calculate a more precise spacecraft orbit.”

Shuster said that the equations derived in his paper can also be used to rapidly analyze the effect different satellite formation have on solution uncertainty and to gain insights about which formations or measurement time intervals are unfavorable in determining orbits.

“SDL employs more than 100 students from Utah State University each year who become integral members of our team,” said Niel Holt, director of the Space Dynamics Laboratory. “Our student employees work alongside a cadre of dedicated professionals and have the unique opportunity to work on real-world programs of national interest while obtaining their academic goals.”

Shuster was one of four USU students who attended the conference. Joining Shuster at the conference were SDL student employee Aaron Avery and USU engineering students Nick Ortolana and Rachit Bhatia. Together, the students presented three technical papers at the conference on the topics of optimal rendezvous trajectory planning, relative motion dynamics with respect to an uncontrolled spinning spacecraft, and space-based navigation using time-difference-of-arrival measurements. SDL employee and USU associate professor David Gellar serves as the faculty adviser to Schuster, Avery, Ortalana and Bhatia.

The American Astronautical Society provides forums for exchange of information related to research, development, production, and performance of techniques, devices, and systems concerning the guidance, control, navigation, and dynamics of space vehicles, missiles, and other aerospace products of interest.

A unit of the USU Research Foundation, SDL is one of 14 University Affiliated Research Centers in the nation. Charged with applying basic research to the technology challenges presented in the military and science arenas, SDL has developed revolutionary solutions that are changing the way the world collects and uses data. SDL’s core competencies are electro-optical sensor systems, calibration, thermal management, reconnaissance systems, and small satellite technologies.  For more information, visit http://www.sdl.usu.edu.